MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – The 2026 Australian Open roared to life on Rod Laver Arena as World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka began her title defense, navigating a surprisingly tough opening encounter against French wildcard Tiantsoa Sarah Rakotomanga Rajaonah. While the final score reflected a comfortable victory, the journey to the second round on Day 1 proved more taxing than predicted for the Belarusian powerhouse.
Sabalenka Shakes Off Early Resistance
The atmosphere crackled as Sabalenka stepped onto the court, aiming to emulate her dominant form from previous seasons. However, the young French challenger, making her Grand Slam main draw debut, refused to buckle under the immense pressure. The opening set was a tight affair, characterized by powerful baseline exchanges and moments of inspired defense from Rajaonah.
Sabalenka admitted in post-match comments that facing an unfamiliar, left-handed opponent presented a unique tactical puzzle, a sentiment echoed by commentators on the Nine Network. Jelena Dokic highlighted the difficulty in reading the debutant’s angles, noting, "Lefties are always hard to read... We don't know where their pulls going to go, especially if you haven't played the opponent."
Clinched First Set in Crucial Tenth Game
The breakthrough for the World No. 1 finally arrived late in the set. After holding firm through several tense service games, Sabalenka managed to secure the crucial break in the tenth game, clinching the first set 6-4. This decisive moment underscored the difference in experience at the highest level, as Sabalenka converted when the pressure was at its peak.
Dominance in the Second Set
Having weathered the storm of the first set, Sabalenka shifted gears emphatically for the second. The World No. 1 surged to an immediate 3-0 lead, consolidating the advantage with a confident service hold. This rapid acceleration suggested the initial jitters—or perhaps the tactical adjustments required—had been firmly sorted.
Despite the lopsided scoreline developing in the second set, Rajaonah continued to fight, forcing Sabalenka to earn every point. Yet, the World No. 1’s superior power and consistency eventually proved too much. Sabalenka powered through, ultimately breaking again and serving out the match to claim the second set 6-1 in just one hour and 16 minutes of total play.
The victory sees Sabalenka progress unscathed into the second round, kicking off her 2026 Australian Open campaign in winning style, as confirmed by updates from the Nine’s Wide World of Sports team.
A Day of High Drama at Melbourne Park
Day 1 at Melbourne Park was marked by more than just top-tier tennis. The intense heat gripping the city led to a concerning incident where a ball kid collapsed on court and required assistance from a player before being safely escorted off. This event served as a sharp reminder of the grueling conditions players and support staff must contend with during the opening week of the Australian Open.
The draw also featured notable action elsewhere. While stars like Carlos Alcaraz were scheduled for later first-round matchups, upsets were already beginning to surface, with the No. 11 seed being bundled out in a major shock. Meanwhile, Australian hope Talia Gibson surged into the second round with a commanding straight-sets victory over Anna Blinkova.
Looking Ahead
For Aryna Sabalenka, the immediate focus shifts to recovery and preparation for her next opponent. Any concerns about her form following a tricky opener were quickly dispelled by the dominant finish against Rajaonah. The victory keeps her firmly on track as she aims to add another major trophy to her burgeoning collection, facing down the intense competition that defines the early rounds of a Grand Slam tournament.
Fans anticipating firepower on the courts will have plenty more to look forward to as the first week continues to unfold, with Sabalenka setting a strong, if hard-fought, early benchmark.
